Bought Canon A70 today

After selling my Olympus C-2100, I decided I would look around for a
smaller and lighter digicam with more megapixels (the C-2100, although
an amazing zoom digicam, only had 2MP). I was pretty set on the Sony
DSC-P72, especially considering I have memory sticks at home already,
but the salesman at Circuit City convinced me to look at the Canon
A70. He said it was the best 3MP value ($299) with enough manual
controls to satisfy an intermediate user.

So far, I'm pretty impressed with it. Decent quality shots, good grip
and buttons, etc. The images aren't *fantastic*, I imagine the lens
isn't the best out there, but the images are what one would expect
from a mid-range 3.2 megapixel.

I am wondering about the body material... Canon's site says it is, in
fact, metal. It looks kinda like the "Cerabrite" material that the
Canon S400 Digital Elph is constructed out of, am I correct in
assuming it's the same material? Also, if anyone else owns this camera
and has some useful tips, please post them for me.

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Hi, congratualtions on your purchase, a few things to recommend for you -
get yourself some 2000mAh NiMh rechargeable batteries, a good steady tripod
and you may want to purchase the Lens Adapter which will enable you to use
52mm thread lenses & filters (although these block the viewfinder & flash!).
steady hands make a big difference with this camera (not too sure why it is
quite uncomprimising compared with other cameras - might just be me and the
shutter button). The differnt modes are very good and night time long
exposures work very well ... I have a range of different shots in my gallery
(see below)

Hope that gives you some useful info, regards ... Zol.

--

"May you find what you are looking for in the Window at the heart of the
machine"

"David Seaman" <> wrote in message
news:...
> After selling my Olympus C-2100, I decided I would look around for a
> smaller and lighter digicam with more megapixels (the C-2100, although
> an amazing zoom digicam, only had 2MP). I was pretty set on the Sony
> DSC-P72, especially considering I have memory sticks at home already,
> but the salesman at Circuit City convinced me to look at the Canon
> A70. He said it was the best 3MP value ($299) with enough manual
> controls to satisfy an intermediate user.
>
> So far, I'm pretty impressed with it. Decent quality shots, good grip
> and buttons, etc. The images aren't *fantastic*, I imagine the lens
> isn't the best out there, but the images are what one would expect
> from a mid-range 3.2 megapixel.
>
> I am wondering about the body material... Canon's site says it is, in
> fact, metal. It looks kinda like the "Cerabrite" material that the
> Canon S400 Digital Elph is constructed out of, am I correct in
> assuming it's the same material? Also, if anyone else owns this camera
> and has some useful tips, please post them for me.
>
> Thanks,
>
> David, Co-Founder
> http://www.shutterline.com
> Photo Contests | Critique forums | more...

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"David Seaman" <> wrote in message
news:...
> He said it was the best 3MP value ($299) with enough manual
> controls to satisfy an intermediate user.

Thats pretty much the concensus with the A70. It's a good camera for the
money. Don't expect anything more. As far as image quality is concerned in a
3MP camera - there are better ones.
> So far, I'm pretty impressed with it. Decent quality shots, good grip
> and buttons, etc. The images aren't *fantastic*, I imagine the lens
> isn't the best out there, but the images are what one would expect
> from a mid-range 3.2 megapixel.

Exactly right. Don't expect G5 quality shot with this camera. However the
lens is better than average. Lenses in digital cameras need to be perfectly
made as digital cameras are less forgiving than analog.
> I am wondering about the body material... Canon's site says it is, in
> fact, metal. It looks kinda like the "Cerabrite" material that the
> Canon S400 Digital Elph is constructed out of, am I correct in
> assuming it's the same material? Also, if anyone else owns this camera
> and has some useful tips, please post them for me.

In article <pJGPa.37736$ye4.29093@sccrnsc01>, Matt wrote:
> Thats pretty much the concensus with the A70. It's a good camera for
> the money. Don't expect anything more. As far as image quality is
> concerned in a 3MP camera - there are better ones.

But is there a better camera in the same price range? I currently have
a Sony DSC-P50 (2.1MP) and am looking for a low cost upgrade. I figured
the A70 would be a noticeable improvement.
> Exactly right. Don't expect G5 quality shot with this camera.

You mean to say that the A70 doesn't have the purple fringing problem?

"Mike Frisch" <> wrote in message
news:...
> In article <pJGPa.37736$ye4.29093@sccrnsc01>, Matt wrote:
> > Thats pretty much the concensus with the A70. It's a good camera for
> > the money. Don't expect anything more. As far as image quality is
> > concerned in a 3MP camera - there are better ones.
>
> But is there a better camera in the same price range? I currently have
> a Sony DSC-P50 (2.1MP) and am looking for a low cost upgrade. I figured
> the A70 would be a noticeable improvement.

Thats what I meant. Sorry if I did not clarify. I have an A70. Works great
for what I need. I will be upgrading to a G5 later next year though. My
digital camera experience has gone far and beyond and I need quality
telephoto lenses and superior picture resolution which the A70 cannot
provide. Of course I will be paying for more. That was the whole jist of my
original reply. You get what you pay for.

"colinco" <> wrote in message
news:...
> In article <pJGPa.37736$ye4.29093@sccrnsc01>, Matt wrote...
> > Thats pretty much the concensus with the A70. It's a good camera for the
> > money. Don't expect anything more. As far as image quality is concerned
in a
> > 3MP camera - there are better ones.
> >
> Which in your opinion are?

> Hi, congratualtions on your purchase, a few things to recommend for you -
> get yourself some 2000mAh NiMh rechargeable batteries, a good steady tripod
> and you may want to purchase the Lens Adapter which will enable you to use
> 52mm thread lenses & filters (although these block the viewfinder & flash!).
> steady hands make a big difference with this camera (not too sure why it is
> quite uncomprimising compared with other cameras - might just be me and the
> shutter button). The differnt modes are very good and night time long
> exposures work very well ... I have a range of different shots in my gallery
> (see below)
>
> Hope that gives you some useful info, regards ... Zol.

I noticed that with the camera when I took it outside today for some
initial shots... If my hand isn't absolutely steady, some of the
images come out quite blurred. Now, this was in auto mode, so I was a
bit surprised. Maybe I had extended the zoom all the way, but still,
it's only 3x. Heavy shake is something I would expect from a 10x
optical zoom digital camera, not a 3x.

Regardless, I'm pretty happy with my new camera. The grip is really
nice and the images look great on my big flatscreen LCD monitor. A
massive improvement over my old 2MP camera, which was probably 1.9MP
effective or something like that.

I tried checking out your Canon Powershot photo album, but the site
didn't load. Maybe it's too popular to handle the server load
I'll try it again tomorrow, see if it works then.

In article <GOIPa.38100$Ph3.3226@sccrnsc04>, Matt wrote:
> Thats what I meant. Sorry if I did not clarify. I have an A70. Works great
> for what I need. I will be upgrading to a G5 later next year though.

I would buy a G5 right now if it weren't for the reports of purple
fringing.
> My digital camera experience has gone far and beyond and I need
> quality telephoto lenses and superior picture resolution which the A70
> cannot provide. Of course I will be paying for more. That was the
> whole jist of my original reply. You get what you pay for.

"David Seaman" <> wrote in message
news:...
> > Hi, congratualtions on your purchase, a few things to recommend for
you -
> > get yourself some 2000mAh NiMh rechargeable batteries, a good steady
tripod
> > and you may want to purchase the Lens Adapter which will enable you to
use
> > 52mm thread lenses & filters (although these block the viewfinder &
flash!).
> > steady hands make a big difference with this camera (not too sure why it
is
> > quite uncomprimising compared with other cameras - might just be me and
the
> > shutter button). The differnt modes are very good and night time long
> > exposures work very well ... I have a range of different shots in my
gallery
> > (see below)
> >
> > Hope that gives you some useful info, regards ... Zol.
>
> I noticed that with the camera when I took it outside today for some
> initial shots... If my hand isn't absolutely steady, some of the
> images come out quite blurred. Now, this was in auto mode, so I was a
> bit surprised. Maybe I had extended the zoom all the way, but still,
> it's only 3x. Heavy shake is something I would expect from a 10x
> optical zoom digital camera, not a 3x.
>
> Regardless, I'm pretty happy with my new camera. The grip is really
> nice and the images look great on my big flatscreen LCD monitor. A
> massive improvement over my old 2MP camera, which was probably 1.9MP
> effective or something like that.
>
> I tried checking out your Canon Powershot photo album, but the site
> didn't load. Maybe it's too popular to handle the server load
> I'll try it again tomorrow, see if it works then.
>
> Thanks,
>
> David, Co-Founder
> http://www.shutterline.com
> Photo Contests | Photo Critique Forums | more...

Thanks, the other thing I forgot to mention is to use the 2 second timer
when doing low light/slow shutter shots - so that you can hold the camera
still after you press the shutter button - it does help a bit if you don`t
have a tripod to use this method as pressing the shutter button can cause
wobble ... Zol.

David Seaman wrote:
>
> So far, I'm pretty impressed with it. Decent quality shots, good grip
> and buttons, etc. The images aren't *fantastic*, I imagine the lens
> isn't the best out there, but the images are what one would expect
> from a mid-range 3.2 megapixel.
>

I wouldn't pre-judge the lens quality until you've done some
sharpening in something like Photoshop Elements or Irfanview.

My A40, which I think has the same lens, produces crisper prints
(after sharpening) than I've ever had from my 35 mm gear.

I've read on this n.g. that all digital photos benefit from
sharpening -- but some cameras need it more than others. Canon is noted
for doing little in the way of in-camera sharpening.

Ronald Hands <> wrote in message news:<bes399$138$>...
> David Seaman wrote:
>
> >
> > So far, I'm pretty impressed with it. Decent quality shots, good grip
> > and buttons, etc. The images aren't *fantastic*, I imagine the lens
> > isn't the best out there, but the images are what one would expect
> > from a mid-range 3.2 megapixel.
> >
>
> I wouldn't pre-judge the lens quality until you've done some
> sharpening in something like Photoshop Elements or Irfanview.
>
> My A40, which I think has the same lens, produces crisper prints
> (after sharpening) than I've ever had from my 35 mm gear.
>
> I've read on this n.g. that all digital photos benefit from
> sharpening -- but some cameras need it more than others. Canon is noted
> for doing little in the way of in-camera sharpening.
>
> -- Ron

I have a Canon A70 also. I guess you can say this is my first digital
camera. When I bought the camera I knew basically nothing about them, and
the sales person steered me to the A70. Now that I am in the field using it
I am beginning to realize my needs from a digital camera. The 3X optical
zoom is not near enough. I need like at least 10X. I know canon offers a
conversion lens adapter (LA-DC52C) and a tele conversion lens (TC-DC52) for
the A70. Now for my question(s). If I purchased the adapter and lens would
I be anywhere in the 10X optical zoom range? If not, is the lens offered by
canon the only one I can use on that adapter, or could I put other zoom lens
on?

"David Seaman" <> wrote in message
news:...
> After selling my Olympus C-2100, I decided I would look around for a
> smaller and lighter digicam with more megapixels (the C-2100, although
> an amazing zoom digicam, only had 2MP). I was pretty set on the Sony
> DSC-P72, especially considering I have memory sticks at home already,
> but the salesman at Circuit City convinced me to look at the Canon
> A70. He said it was the best 3MP value ($299) with enough manual
> controls to satisfy an intermediate user.
>
> So far, I'm pretty impressed with it. Decent quality shots, good grip
> and buttons, etc. The images aren't *fantastic*, I imagine the lens
> isn't the best out there, but the images are what one would expect
> from a mid-range 3.2 megapixel.
>
> I am wondering about the body material... Canon's site says it is, in
> fact, metal. It looks kinda like the "Cerabrite" material that the
> Canon S400 Digital Elph is constructed out of, am I correct in
> assuming it's the same material? Also, if anyone else owns this camera
> and has some useful tips, please post them for me.
>
> Thanks,
>
> David, Co-Founder
> http://www.shutterline.com
> Photo Contests | Critique forums | more...

Hi, The Adapter allows for any lens or filter with a 52mm thread to be
attached to your camera - but having said that I have the adapter and the
2.4x convertor lens (Canon) and find it to be quite adequete - I don`t know
whether this means it`s a total optical zoom of 7.2x & combined
(digital+optical) zoom of 23.04x(?) I don`t use digital zoom if I can help
it ... Zol.

"Matt" <> wrote in message
news:jbySa.84$...
> I have a Canon A70 also. I guess you can say this is my first digital
> camera. When I bought the camera I knew basically nothing about them, and
> the sales person steered me to the A70. Now that I am in the field using
it
> I am beginning to realize my needs from a digital camera. The 3X optical
> zoom is not near enough. I need like at least 10X. I know canon offers a
> conversion lens adapter (LA-DC52C) and a tele conversion lens (TC-DC52)
for
> the A70. Now for my question(s). If I purchased the adapter and lens
would
> I be anywhere in the 10X optical zoom range? If not, is the lens offered
by
> canon the only one I can use on that adapter, or could I put other zoom
lens
> on?
>
> "David Seaman" <> wrote in message
> news:...
> > After selling my Olympus C-2100, I decided I would look around for a
> > smaller and lighter digicam with more megapixels (the C-2100, although
> > an amazing zoom digicam, only had 2MP). I was pretty set on the Sony
> > DSC-P72, especially considering I have memory sticks at home already,
> > but the salesman at Circuit City convinced me to look at the Canon
> > A70. He said it was the best 3MP value ($299) with enough manual
> > controls to satisfy an intermediate user.
> >
> > So far, I'm pretty impressed with it. Decent quality shots, good grip
> > and buttons, etc. The images aren't *fantastic*, I imagine the lens
> > isn't the best out there, but the images are what one would expect
> > from a mid-range 3.2 megapixel.
> >
> > I am wondering about the body material... Canon's site says it is, in
> > fact, metal. It looks kinda like the "Cerabrite" material that the
> > Canon S400 Digital Elph is constructed out of, am I correct in
> > assuming it's the same material? Also, if anyone else owns this camera
> > and has some useful tips, please post them for me.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > David, Co-Founder
> > http://www.shutterline.com
> > Photo Contests | Critique forums | more...
>
>

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